Swansea complete €14m Bony deal

Swansea have announced the signing of Cote d'Ivoire striker Wilfried Bony for €14 million. 

The 24-year-old scored 31 goals in 30 league games for Dutch side Vitesse last season, and has now moved to the Liberty Stadium in a club record deal which eclipses the £5.55 million paid for Pablo Hernandez last season.

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Laudrup: I rejected big clubs to stay at Swansea

Swansea boss Michael Laudrup says he spurned the advances of a number of big clubs to stay at the Liberty Stadium next season.

The 49-year-old enjoyed a successful debut campaign at the Liberty Stadium helm as he guided the Swans to Capital One Cup success, their first major trophy win, and a club-record high ninth-placed finish in the Premier League.

This prompted talk of a move to a more established side but, despite the escalating row between chairman Huw Jenkins and agent Byram Tutumlu over assurances, Laudrup insists he never intended to leave the Swansea this summer.

"Yes there were clubs - a couple of big ones as well - who wanted me but it never became anything more than that," the Dane told WalesOnline.

"As I said and confirmed many times, I wanted to stay and I told players the same when they asked me before they extended their contracts. I don’t want to runaway from that.

"It’s normal after a season we which was good for everybody that there is a lot of interest and eyes on all of us, domestically and internationally.
"But it never went further than that and I didn’t have to speak to anyone because I want to stay here.

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Espanyol have rejected a bid for Wakaso

Espanyol have rejected a bid from an unnamed 'European club' for Ghana international Wakaso.

Reports in Spain suggest that an offer of €4.5million (£3.9m) has been immediately knocked back.

A sale has not been entirely ruled out, but it is being speculated that it would take €8million (£6.9m) to bring Espanyol to the negotiating table.

A number of clubs are believed to be monitoring Wakaso's situation, with the 22-year-old midfielder having impressed greatly since leaving Villarreal for Catalunya last summer.

Swansea are believed to be among those leading the chase, with Michael Laudrup often switching his focus to La Liga in the pursuit of new recruits.

Espanyol have refused to reveal the identity of the club to have made an initial approach, but have made it clear that the terms on offer fall a long way short of their valuation.

Club director Jose Luis Morlanes told Catalunya Radio: "We have received an offer from a European club but we will not sell on these terms."

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